When Warby Parker co-founder Dave Gilboa was a graduate student, he lost his glasses while backpacking and couldn't afford to replace them. That scenario led him and three of his Wharton classmates to figure that the prescription eyewear industry could stand a little modernization. Indeed, their research showed that the market is controlled by a few large companies that have historically kept prices for frames and prescription lenses artificially high.

By selling vintage-inspired eyeglasses and sunglasses directly to consumers worldwide through its website and 10 brick-and-mortar retail stores around the U.S., the company can offer high-quality glasses for around $95 a pair. Though the company doesn't release sales figures, industry experts peg annual revenues at around $100 million.

Since its founding in 2010, the company has embraced its altruistic side. Its research showed that more than 700 million people worldwide lack access to glasses. That's why the company partners with nonprofits such as VisionSpring to ensure that for every pair of glasses it sells, another pair is given to someone in need. So far, Warby Parker says it has distributed more than 1 million pairs of glasses worldwide.

Two of the Warby Parker founders, David Gilboa (left) and Neil Blumenthal

"We both had frustrating experiences buying eyeglasses, so we decided to offer an alternative to the overpriced, uninspiring eyewear on the market."-David Gilboa, co-founder and co-CEO, Warby Parker